PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — As autumn arrives, it brings traditional delights like jack-o’-lanterns, football, and the ubiquitous pumpkin spice. For many regions, it also ushers in a breathtaking display of colorful foliage.
In the northern United States, leaves are beginning to transform into stunning shades of orange, yellow, and red. This natural spectacle encourages numerous “leaf peepers” to embark on journeys to rural areas, eager to experience the vibrant colors of fall. This annual ritual significantly boosts the economy, with billions being generated, particularly in regions like New England and New York.
Interestingly, this year’s most vibrant displays may occur in the Midwest, with AccuWeather forecasting particularly striking foliage in states such as Michigan and Illinois. The service also anticipates lively colors in upstate New York and parts of Pennsylvania, while New England will likely show more traditional hues. Fortunately for travelers, New England won’t be missing out on the beauty either.
Maine, known as the most forested state in the nation, is poised for an extraordinary foliage season, thanks to a combination of ample sunshine and just the right amount of rainfall. Gale Ross, the state’s fall foliage spokesperson, noted that the weather throughout the fall significantly influences color change. Cool nights and shorter days will likely elevate the vibrancy of the leaves.
Aaron Bergdahl, Maine’s forest pathologist, added, “The growing season in 2024 was stellar for trees, promoting their health and resilience, which should result in stunning fall colors across Maine.”
Fall foliage peaks at different times throughout the United States; in some northern areas, foliage season kicks off shortly after Labor Day, while southern regions might not see peak colors until November. In Maine, for example, the northern regions usually reach their peak color by late September, while the coastal areas may not achieve full color until just before Halloween.
Leaf color transformation occurs as summer transitions to fall, characterized by dropping temperatures and diminishing sunlight. This change leads to the breakdown of chlorophyll in leaves, allowing the underlying colors to emerge before they eventually fall.
However, climatic changes have impacted recent leaf-peeping experiences. Increased temperatures and drought conditions can cause leaves to wilt and turn brown prematurely. Other factors, like heat waves, may lead to early leaf drop, while extreme weather events—such as hurricanes—can strip trees of their foliage before the colors fully develop. For instance, a significant heatwave in the Pacific Northwest in 2021 caused a phenomenon known as “foliage scorch,” resulting in prematurely browned leaves.
As late September approached this year, Maine exhibited limited leaf color change, though the state’s tourism office was gearing up for a surge in visitors. Northern parts of Maine had begun to show moderate color changes, and neighboring New Hampshire was anticipating approximately 3.7 million visitors—more than twice its resident population.
“It’s no wonder that people travel from all around the globe to witness such magnificent colors,” remarked NH Travel and Tourism Director Lori Harnois.
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